You Can Fool Some of the Pundits...

Edwards has made much of his renunciation of his Iraq-war vote. But he has not stopped there. His entire campaign has been an orgy of regret and renunciation.

As senator, he voted in 2001 for a bankruptcy bill that he now denounces.

As senator, he voted for storing nuclear waste in Nevada’s Yucca Mountain. Twice. He is now fiercely opposed.

As senator, he voted for the Bush-Kennedy No Child Left Behind education reform. He now campaigns against it, promising to have it “radically overhauled.”

As senator, he voted for the Patriot Act, calling it “a good bill ... and I am pleased to support it.” He now attacks it.

As senator, he voted to give China normalized trade relations. Need I say? He now campaigns against liberalized trade with China as a sellout of the middle class to the great multinational agents of greed, etc.

Breathtaking. People can change their minds about something. But everything?

It all boils down to "I'll tell you whatever you want to hear to get your vote". People fall for it every time. There is very little personal accountability in politics. When good things happen everyone wants to take credit for it, when bad things happen or opinions change, the finger pointing begins.